Frequently I am asked why, as a
Christian pastor and person who professes a strong Biblical faith, how can I
possibly support Same Sex Marriage?
The simple answer is that it is the
right thing to do!
I can argue scripture to fully
support my beliefs and those who disagree with my opinion will use scripture as
well. We will not agree.
I can legitimately appeal to church
tradition and history to demonstrate the importance of affirming gender
equality and justice. However, all those who legitimately understand the
tradition differently will counter with their own historical justifications. We will not agree.
I can claim my personal experience
of having worked in Christian ministry for and with many people directly
impacted by gender issues. Yet, for those whose experience of Christianity and
gender issues is fundamentally different from mine, we will have a much more
challenging time finding common ground and points of experience upon which we
will legitimately agree.
I support Same Sex Marriage because
I faithfully believe it is the right, holy, and Christian thing to do.
Marriage is, fundamentally, a sacred
and holy covenant between two people. It can be broken, and unfortunately often
is. Marriage is about making a conscious, intentional, and binding covenant
that two people will be united in a sacred union of love that is defined in love, intimacy, mutuality, affirmation, affection, and sacrifice. It is neither defined by sex,
nor the production of children. It is defined by love.
Personally, I see no
reason why two people who are willing to make—and hold to—that covenant with
each other should be prohibited through laws that understand marriage strictly in
sexual, reproductive, or strictly religious terms. Unfortunately, there are many fully legal heterosexual marriages
that find the full blessing of the traditional church teachings on marriage
that never manage to live up to this standard. Before we make it illegal for
same sex couples to marry, perhaps we should spend more time, prayer, Bible
study, and preaching on affirming the sanctity of the marriage among ALL who enter into this sacred and blessed union!
Some churches will disagree with
me. Some Christians will not understand my beliefs. Some pastors will preach
and teach theologies that absolutely refute my beliefs. Of this reality I am neither afraid or ashamed. I would never presume to have an exclusive claim on the Truth. I also recognize and respect
that there is not universal agreement on this highly volatile topic. We may
simply have to agree to disagree and in that case I do so prayerfully and lovingly because Christ demands no less. In Jesus Christ ,
I believe we are called to the singular faith we share in Jesus
Christ and affirm the validity of one another’s faith experience in
spite of our differences.
This vital reality remains unstated
that I believe we must say out loud.
Biblical interpretations, church
teachings, legislative actions regarding gender issues, and diverse
understandings of Same Sex Marriage are important, but they must never become
the focus of idolatrous worship. God is bigger than any political, religious,
or social agenda. Let us serve the One God even when we disagree over matters
regarding sexuality and forget the sinful practice of letting beliefs about
sexuality define our legitimacy as Christians. There is vital ministry to be
done so let’s stop shouting at each other and get back to work!